Comprehensive sex education key to reducing teen pregnancies, says Sibu Resident

Borneo Post

18-06-2025

Guests and participants pictured during the launch of the programme at SMK Bukit Assek.
SIBU (June 19): Comprehensive and continuous sex education should be prioritised in efforts to address teenage pregnancy in Sarawak, as abstinence-only approaches have proven to be less effective, said Sibu Resident Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman.
He noted that studies show over 80 per cent of teenagers obtain information about sex from peers and the internet, rather than from parents, teachers, or medical professionals.
'This underscores the need for structured sexuality education – not merely telling them 'don't do it' or relying on scare tactics.
'We must equip teenagers with knowledge and values, so they understand the consequences of their actions,' he said.
Abang Mohamad's remarks were delivered by his representative Macgyver Boi during the official launch of the 'Social Intervention Programme: Sexual Education Awareness and Advocacy (KAPS) for Sibu Division 2025' programme, held at SMK Bukit Assek here yesterday.
He also noted that in tackling teenage pregnancy, the Sarawak government has set a key performance indicator (KPI) to reduce the number of such cases by 10 per cent annually compared to the previous year.
According to data from the Sarawak State Health Department, the number of teenage pregnancies has consistently declined from 3,866 cases in 2012 to 2,000 in 2024 – a reduction of 48.3 per cent.
The proportion of teenage pregnancies relative to new antenatal cases also fell from 9.1 per cent to 7.2 per cent over the same period.
However, Abang Mohamad acknowledged a slight increase in 2024, with teenage pregnancies accounting for 7.2 per cent of new antenatal cases compared to 6.6 per cent in 2023.
'Data from 2024 shows that 90.6 per cent (1,812 cases) of pregnant teenagers were aged 16 and above, while 96.1 per cent (1,922 cases) were no longer attending school at the time of pregnancy.
'Additionally, 63.6 per cent (1,271 cases) of the pregnancies occurred among unmarried teens,' he said.
By division, Kuching recorded the highest number of teenage pregnancies with 482 cases, followed by Bintulu (320), Miri (302), Sibu (261), and Samarahan (119).
In terms of percentage, however, Kapit recorded the highest incidence at 12.9 per cent, followed by Bintulu (9 per cent), Serian (8.3 per cent), Samarahan (8.3 per cent), and Miri (7.7 per cent).
Furthermore, Abang Mohamad stressed the importance of programmes like KAPS, which was implemented by the Sarawak Social Development Council (MPS) under the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) since 2016 in collaboration with the One Stop Teenage Pregnancy Committee (OSTPC).
'A total of 75 KAPS sessions have been held statewide since 2016, contributing to a significant 45.07 per cent drop in teenage pregnancies among school-going girls – from 142 cases in 2016 to 78 in 2024.
'Since last year, the programme has also been expanded to selected primary schools through pilot initiatives,' he added.
Abang Mohamad also warned that teenage pregnancy could lead to long-term consequences, such as social stigma, poor academic performance, health issues, and poverty.
'It not only denies young girls their right to a better life, but also risks trapping them in a cycle of vulnerability and disadvantage.'
He expressed hope that the implementation of KAPS in Sibu Division would yield positive outcomes in shaping knowledgeable, morally upright, and responsible students.
Also present were KPWK permanent secretary representative Fauziah Keepli and SMK Bukit Assek principal Abdul Rahman Abdullah @ Nicholas. Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman lead sex education Sibu teen pregnancy